Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hi Scott,

It all depends on what you want, and how much you want to spend. I use a
Stowmaster 5000 (by Roadmaster), and have used it on my old 4X4 Durango, my 4X4
Grand Cherokee, and now my 2003 Wrangler Rubicon. I just changed the
mounting brackets, and kept the towbar. The mounting brackets mated perfectly
to
the existing front bumper bolts, and you can take the tow bar off by pulling
two pins.

You might choose the coach mounted tow bar...I've heard they are a little
easier to hook up the towed vehicle, but they cost more. As for the lighting,
most of the hitch or tow bar manufacturers make kits to install new separate
bulbs in the tail light housings, avoiding the use of diodes in the car's
circuits to prevent feedback into the car's wiring system, which is bad. A
good
alternative is buying or making a "light bar" that plugs into the Wrangler's
tow hitch receptacle, and running your wiring from the light bar to the rear
of the BB. Check the voltage at the rear of the BB, at the wiring plug...I
was only getting about 9v, not enough to even light the LED's on my trailer.
I rewired the RV plug at the back of the BB with Bosch relays, and I get a
solid 13-14+ volts at the plug. Something to consider. Most states also
require a braking device in towed vehicles, although I've never used one. A
Jeep
Wrangler is pretty light, but most likely still requires an add-on braking
system. Whatever tow bar system you get, make sure you don't exceed the max
towed vehicle weight limit of the bar.

Make sure you put the Jeep transfer case in neutral, key in the ignition,
and turned to the first position to unlock the steering column before
towing....and they don't like being backed up when still attached to the tow
vehicle!

Good luck.....lots of options, and I'm sure you'll get lots of advice and
suggestions.

Kevin McKeown
Yorba Linda, CA
1986 38' PT





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all,

I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle. Can
anyone offer advice on:

1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to $700...what
do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?

2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the bus?
Is there a kit or something I can get?

All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is all
new to me.

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

Scott: I have never towed a Jeep but from my reading in other forums
many Jeep owners elect to install seperate bulbs in the tail light
assembly. This saves a lot of wiring headaches. Those $79.00 tow bars
are made in China. I would never use one . It all depends what you
want. A simple Reese tow Bar is around $130.00. The popular folding
tow bars ( Roadmaster or Blue Ox) can cost you a lot more. We have
used all 3 that I mentioned and my favorite is the Blue Ox. Pricey but
well made. You can find rebuilt units on the net and they are as good
as the new babies. Towing a vehicle can be an expensive game. Here are
some approximate prices: Tow Bar $400 to $500, base plate $150 and
up,safety chains and electrical cable $130. You probably should have a
braking system. I dont want to start a whole discussion on that subject
but if you decide it is necessary I recommend either the M&G or the US
Gear Unified tow brake, about $1000. If you are not mechanically
inclined the installation could easily be $500 or more. Hope this helps.

Bruce
1988 FC35

Scott,
I selected a Blue Ox towbar, on sale about $500, the adapter for
my 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport, about $300, the braking system, $900,
and then the electrical hookup using the empty space in the tail
light housing, maybe another $50. I probably went overboard with the
Blue Ox, but it is pretty easy to connect and disconnect. I also
didn't want to see my Jeep passing me on a down hill streach because
I cheaped out.

I don't like the brake light setup, the extra space in the tail
light housing is small and seems inadequate. I am thinking about
installing relays and diodes to use the main assemblies.

It is probably the most expensive thing I have done so far.

Gardner
78FC33


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle.
Can
> anyone offer advice on:
>
> 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to
$700...what
> do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
>
> 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the
bus?
> Is there a kit or something I can get?
>
> All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is
all
> new to me.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

Scott,

Go to the Blue Ox web site and read about their tow bars. You'll see
the differences between the various styles. The cheap ones are
lighter/less easy to use. The more expensive ones allow easier
connection/disconnection in a variety of conditions -- and heavier
tow weights. Roadmaster is another maker of tow bars.

The cheapest bars require near-perfect alignment between the toad and
the hitch when hooking up. They may be near-impossible (due to stress
on the bar) to unhook in a "situation" when a quick disconnect is
desired.

I purchased the Blue Ox Aventa LX as I particularly liked it's
sophisticated "spherical joint" design. It appeared to be likely to
be very reliable. It remains attached to the coach when the toad is
disconnected. (Locking pins offer a modest level of security.) The
down side is that it's really quite heavy (with the drop receiver I
needed for my hook-up) and awkwardly balanced when it's off the coach.

You'll also need a "base plate" for the Jeep. Generally it must be
the same brand as the tow bar, although adaptors are available to
convert between brands. (the connection pins may be different.)

The jeep may not be as 'lightweight' as you think ... but it probably
only needs a class III (5000 lb rated) tow bar. Make sure you don't
need a Class IV.

Light kits come with most tow bars (or are optionally available). I
also got a light kit with my lube pump (necessary for my toad). Light
kits are also available at most auto parts stores. Some Jeeps
actually have extra sockets in the tail lights for bulbs connected to
the tow system.

You may need a supplementary braking system. (In California, one is
required for any towed vehicle over 1500 lbs -- which, in practical
terms, is any toad.)

See:
<http://www.blueox.us/Towbars/towbars.htm>
<http://roadmasterinc.com/products/towbars/index.html>

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Mar 13, 2007, at 4:19 PM, Scott Forman wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle. Can
> anyone offer advice on:
>
> 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to $700...what
> do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
>
> 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the bus?
> Is there a kit or something I can get?
>
> All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is all
> new to me.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Scott.
Been towing a LWB Rubicon the past couple years (4100 pounds).
Started with the 130 dollar Reese fixed tow bar and it worked fine.
Problem for me was that it greased up my clothes when removing it
from the Jeep and the bus, and then needed to find a place to set it
while camping so no one tripped over it and it didn't get gooked up
with dirt and other nature. Changed to a Roadmaster 8000 pound one
that folds up on the back of the bus, much more user friendly, but
more dollars. And its heavy when it comes to removing it from the
bus. Brother Jay uses the lightest blue ox model they make. In the
past four years he has rebuilt it once. I don't think the Roadmaster
is rebuildable and it probably won't need to be.
For tow tail lights, I took the factory light assembly apart on the
Jeep and installed a separate additional socket for a separate bulb
with separate wire threaded through the inside of the starboard
frame rail rear to front ending with a flat four connector.

dandarst86fc35rbhuntleyil.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle.
Can
> anyone offer advice on:
>
> 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to
$700...what
> do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
>
> 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the
bus?
> Is there a kit or something I can get?
>
> All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is
all
> new to me.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

Scott,
I've used a Blue Ox tow bar to tow Jeep Wranglers for the past 6 years/40,000
miles with
no problems or repairs. Tow bar stays on the coach and is easy to hook up.
Tail light
wiring described by Dan is the way to go. Very simple job.

I've used two different Blue Ox baseplates during this time. One is bolted to
the frame
with two bolts and is easy to remove. This is a benefit to me because I like to
take it off
when we go four wheeling to get maximum clearance and to avoid damaging the base
plate. This baseplate has been discontinued but you may be able to pick one up
used on
the Blue Ox website.

The second baseplate uses multiple bolts and is more substantial but once it's
installed,
it's a bear to remove. I don't use this one and will sell it to anyone that's
interested.

Regards, Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle. Can
> anyone offer advice on:
>
> 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to $700...what
> do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
>
> 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the bus?
> Is there a kit or something I can get?
>
> All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is all
> new to me.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

Wiring kits etc:
http://www.towingworld.com/Accessories/wiring.htm
http://www.blueox.us/Accessories/accessories.htm
http://www.remcotowing.com/

Dan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle.
Can
> anyone offer advice on:
>
> 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to
$700...what
> do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
>
> 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the
bus?
> Is there a kit or something I can get?
>
> All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is
all
> new to me.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

Scott,

I have a 97 Wrangler, great tow vehicle!

I looked around at various tow bars, I went to a local RV spot and
found that a guy had gotten out of RVing wanted to sell his
Roadmaster, bought it cheap, works great. When trying to uncouple
sometimes it binds, not a big problem but a negitive. Some of the
newer models are much better about not binding. I got from either
JCWhitney or Quadratec a kit with one way diodes for my wiring.
installed in about an hour. I had to install a connector in the front
(from the coach lights)of the Jeep and run wires to the back.
installed the diodes to both the coach leads and the jeep leads (make
sure that you think about the trailer plug. I have a small motorcycle
that has a braket on the reciever on the jeep, the bracket has brake
lights that are connected to the trailer plug.)

This set up worked great for me!

Jim Riordan
88 WBWL XXV
Stuart, Fl.







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dandarst"
wrote:
>
> Scott.
> Been towing a LWB Rubicon the past couple years (4100 pounds).
> Started with the 130 dollar Reese fixed tow bar and it worked fine.
> Problem for me was that it greased up my clothes when removing it
> from the Jeep and the bus, and then needed to find a place to set
it
> while camping so no one tripped over it and it didn't get gooked up
> with dirt and other nature. Changed to a Roadmaster 8000 pound one
> that folds up on the back of the bus, much more user friendly, but
> more dollars. And its heavy when it comes to removing it from the
> bus. Brother Jay uses the lightest blue ox model they make. In the
> past four years he has rebuilt it once. I don't think the
Roadmaster
> is rebuildable and it probably won't need to be.
> For tow tail lights, I took the factory light assembly apart on the
> Jeep and installed a separate additional socket for a separate bulb
> with separate wire threaded through the inside of the starboard
> frame rail rear to front ending with a flat four connector.
>
> dandarst86fc35rbhuntleyil.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
> <sforman@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have found a Jeep Wrangler (99 model) to use as a tow vehicle.
> Can
> > anyone offer advice on:
> >
> > 1. A good tow bar...I have found units priced from $79 to
> $700...what
> > do I really need for a lightweight Jeep?
> >
> > 2. How do I wire up the Jeep taillights so that they run off the
> bus?
> > Is there a kit or something I can get?
> >
> > All my previous vehicle towing has been with a dolly, so this is
> all
> > new to me.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Scott Forman
> > 82 FC35RB
> > Memphis
> >
>